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It is no doubt that Tottenham's injured midfielders James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski will be a big miss for their Europa League final against Manchester United in Bilbao on 21 May.

Spurs have won all three previous matches against United this season, and both Maddison and Kulusevski not only started those games but had starring roles.

Maddison scored the only goal in Spurs' home league win on 19 February, while Kulusevski scored in both their 4-3 victory in the EFL Cup quarter-finals and a 3-0 win at Old Trafford in the Premier League in September.

Lucas Bergvall, who is also a doubt for the Europa League final, also played in all three wins against United this season.

Tottenham Hotspur

More from Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou on why the Aston Villa game is an opportunity for players to stake a claim for a place in the Europa League final line-up: "This is a challenge for the players. They have got to seize the opportunity that is before them in the game tomorrow.

"Obviously, we want to try to perform well and pick up a result, but also it's an opportunity for them to put their name forward for the big game the following week because, as we have already seen in the past couple of weeks, as much as you would like to think there is an ideal starting line-up things happen and players have to be ready for that.

"Tomorrow night is an opportunity for those guys to sort of put their hand up."

Tottenham Hotspur

Ange Postecoglou on whether he will rest players against Aston Villa, considering Tottenham play in the Europa League final on Wednesday: "No, we are are certainly going to go out there to try to win the game tomorrow and put out a team that hopefully gets that job done."

On whether he was worried about protecting the integrity of the Champions League race: "I'm not sure about the integrity. There have been times this year when we have had to field weakened teams because of injury. Does that affect integrity? So, if people are thinking there is some sort of competitive balance that exists or doesn't exist over the course of a season, I would be very surprised if people were questioning our integrity to try and win a game of football tomorrow.

"I will put a team out that I think will do its best to win a game of football, yes."

Tottenham Hotspur

Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou on Lucas Bergvall's injury and his expected recovery, following reports he had been training with the team: "It is still the same sort of timeframe. It was never going to be a long-term one but he has literally just got out of the boot and taking his first tentative steps on the grass, but it's unlikely he will be...well, he won't be available."

Tottenham Hotspur

Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou on his side's luck with injuries: "It's just reflective and consistent with everything else that has happened this season. We just haven't had a smooth run of things. Every time we look like we are getting to a place where we are looking in decent shape squad-wise, invariably we have been hit.

"The last few weeks again, it's just circumstances that have happened probably in the one area of the park."

The news on Dejan Kulusevski followed a season-ending injury for playmaker James Maddison.

Tottenham Hotspur

Postecoglou says he's gutted for Dejan Kulusevski, Lucas Bergvall, and James Maddison.

Tottenham Hotspur

Ange Postecoglou on Dejan Kulusevski being out for a "few months": "Disappointing news. Initially we kind of thought it wasn't too serious. The medical team were worried about structurally how the knee was but it seemed good. It kind of blew up the day after and we knew there was an issue there.

"He's had surgery and it will put him out for at least a few months."

On whether he will be OK for the start of next season?: "We'll see. I only have basic information at the moment in terms of recovery, but it will certainly put him out for a while."

Postecoglou says he'll put out his best team against Aston Villa to try and win the game.

Tottenham Hotspur

Lucas Bergvall still has the same sort of recovery time frame, adds Ange Postecoglou and is only taking his first steps out of a recovery boot. "He's unlikely to be available," the Spurs manager says.

Tottenham Hotspur

Ange Postecoglou has confirmed Dejan Kulusevski is out for a couple of months.

Tottenham Hotspur

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Ange Postecoglou will definitely be asked about Dejan Kulusevski

Tottenham confirmed on Wednesday that the Sweden international will miss the remainder of the season after undergoing surgery on his right knee.

The 25-year-old winger was forced off in the 19th minute of Spurs' defeat at home to Crystal Palace on Sunday.

"We can confirm that Dejan Kulusevski suffered an injury to his right patella in our Premier League fixture against Crystal Palace last weekend," a Tottenham statement read.

"Following further specialist consultation, the midfielder has undergone surgery today (Wednesday) and will commence his rehabilitation with our medical staff immediately."

Joe Rindl
BBC Sport

Thanks Craig. As you say, it's Tottenham news conference time!

Craig Nelson
BBC Sport reporter

Phil McNulty is sticking with us, so we will have plenty more of his answers to your questions throughout the afternoon.

But we have Ange Postecoglou's news conference coming up now.

I am going to have a listen to the Spurs boss and bring his top quotes, so will hand the reins back to Joe Rindl.

Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer

Anon: Hi Phil. What do you think of the suitability of Jeremie Frimpong as a potential signing for Liverpool?

Phil: Jeremie Frimpong is clearly a player of quality, having won the Bundesliga and the German cup under Xabi Alonso at Bayer Leverkusen last season. He also won a domestic treble at Celtic. The release clause of £29.5m is well within Liverpool’s budget, so it is just a question of whether Arne Slot wants to add competition for Conor Bradley, which I suspect he will.

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Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer

Adam: On Trent Alexander-Arnold, and some of the fans' reaction last Sunday. I think It was embarrassing for LFC and whatever happened to “You'll Never Walk Alone”! Also, Arne Slot should take some responsibility, as he was commenting last week that the fans will react however they will. Why didn’t he show respect to TAA and say to the fans that he has shown excellent loyalty after being here 20 years and has won everything there is to win? Those Liverpool fans who booed are an embarrassment to the club. What are your thoughts on this subject? Thank you, as always.

Phil: I was surprised at how angry the reaction towards Trent Alexander-Arnold was, but I am very much of the view that it is not for me to tell fans how to react or how to feel. They are allowed to show their emotions and no laws were broken.

This is a very emotive issue, the local boy who has won everything leaving for a Champions League rival in Real Madrid on a free transfer, so fans will react in their own different ways, and clearly lots of Liverpool fans felt betrayed.

What must not be forgotten is what a magnificent player Trent Alexander-Arnold has been for Liverpool and how he has helped them claim all the major prizes.

Perhaps, in time, the decision he has taken will be viewed more kindly by those who showed their disapproval at Anfield.

People have questioned Slot's decision to put him on as a substitute, but his job is to make decisions he believes will win football matches for Liverpool, not be influenced by outside considerations

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Since Liverpool beat Paris St-Germain in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-finals, the Reds have won five of their past 10 games, with four defeats and one draw.

Arne Slot's side have slowly dipped their admittedly very high standards.

Between the start of the season and New Year's Eve they won 23 of their 27 games in all competitions, while in 2025 they've won 15 of their 27 games.

Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer

Anon: Hey Phil, I’m a Liverpool fan. Pleased with our title win! Question is when the title is over and won with multiple games left what’s best for the team? Ease off, relax and enjoy the rest of the season and start the rest prior to the title defence next season, or push and aim to win the remaining games and keep a winning mentality?

Phil: Arne Slot’s preference is to win the remaining games and maintain that mentality, but players are only human and it is easier said than done to keep the levels of intensity high when the job is done and the first round of celebrations are over.

In the perfect world, Liverpool’s players would carry on as normal, but a drop off is understandable given the physical and mental efforts they have put in.

Image source, Getty Images

Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer

Michael: Hi Phil. How much money do you think Liverpool will have to spend this summer and who do you think they will buy?

Phil: Hi, Michael. I wouldn’t hazard a guess on the exact figure, but given Liverpool pretty much kept their powder dry last summer, I think they are in a great position to do strong business this summer.

I think the priorities will be a left-back, perhaps Bournemouth’s Milos Kerkez, and a striker. I also think they will be in the market for a central defender should all the cards fall in the right place and they have enough money to pursue the right option. What a position Liverpool are in. Champions and with the power to add.

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